Some disorders run in the family, which means they are hereditary. From diabetes to high blood pressure, genetics is one such aspect that plays an important role in the well-being of an individual.
High uric acid, or hyperuricemia, has become increasingly common. While diet is a factor, family history can greatly influence your risk. It is not only what you eat—your genes may play a significant role.
Let’s find out how heredity and lifestyle contribute to high uric acid and what steps can help prevent or manage it.
Uric acid is a natural waste product formed when the body breaks down purines, compounds that are found in our bodies and also in foods such as red meat, seafood, sugary beverages and certain vegetables.
In healthy individuals, uric acid usually dissolves in the blood, is filtered through the kidneys and leaves the body through the urine. However, sometimes uric acid accumulates in the body, either due to excess production or the inefficiency of the kidneys to filter it out, resulting in a condition known as hyperuricemia.
Over time, the elevated high uric levels form sharp needle-like crystals that deposit in the joints, causing intense pain and swelling.
Yes, increased levels of high uric acid in the blood can be hereditary. In addition to poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle choices, genetics significantly affect the way the body produces or eliminates uric acid.
This is because some individuals inherit slow genes, which prevent them from filtering out as much uric acid as someone with a normal transport gene.
In simple words, if one or both of your parents or even a first-degree relative has high uric acid, your risk of developing hyperuricemia is comparatively higher than average. Hence, it is often found that gout and kidney stones run in multiple family members.
However, it is important to be aware that heredity does not mean you will definitely develop high uric acid. It increases the susceptibility to the condition.
According to Dr. Amitabha Saha, the best internal medicine & critical care medicine specialist, who has been imparting successful high uric acid treatment for years, genetics is only a part of the picture. It is lifestyle habits that account for the majority of cases of hyperuricemia.
It is seen that individuals with genetic traits for high uric acid might never have high uric acid if they maintain a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, a person without a family history can still have hyperuricemia due to poor choices.
Taking preventive measures and being aware of the condition is the key to long-term control of the disorder. Dr. Amitabha Saha advises individuals to go for regular health check-ups, make healthy eating choices and seek medical advice sooner before complications arise.
Treatment includes lifestyle counselling, dietary guidance and prescribing medications to lower the production of uric acid or improve the kidney function for efficient excretion.
Genetics works together with lifestyle factors to cause hyperuricemia. Nevertheless, with early awareness, healthy habits and timely high uric treatment, it is possible to completely prevent and manage the condition even if the disorder is present in the family.